Matthew 6:25b Take no thought for your life,

Just before this verse the Lord taught us how to pray. Nowhere within that prayer was there one line concerning life. There is give us our daily bread but since Jesus is the bread of life, then that too oculd be seen as give me Jesus every day.

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Seems like a conflict of interests doesn’t it? In everything is an all consuming arena. That takes into account life concerns, things we are told not to think about.

Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Fowls of the air are taken by predators all the time. In this we are not all that different. Ah, but the birds aren’t given His spirit.

Perhaps it is this gift from God that allows us to do what they cannot, give thanks in the middle of our tribulations.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

He said we will have tribulation, and He has proven himself right, we do. Being of good cheer in the midst of that it on us, it is not given to us as other gifts, it is up to us to respond with thanksgiving.

He didn’t say it would be easy, but giving concern to our lives blocks the answers to our prayers and supplications.

Ungrateful is such an ugly word.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Yesterday I laid out as plainly as I could the three parts of salvation, confession, repentance and surrender. In one sense we did something but it should not be confused with any effort greater than that effort required in receiving a gift.

We receive a gift on a personal level. We do not take someone else’s gift; we take our own. We unwrap the gift to see what is inside. We then take it with us and make it part of our life.

Now then, how precious is that gift?

Job 28:13 Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.

The value of a gift is not found in the cost; it is found in the respect of the receiver. How do you treat this gift of salvation which you have received? Do you put it back in its box and hide it in a special place where you alone can enjoy it privately? Do you put it in a display case for all to see but cannot touch?

Do you show everyone how it works, take it apart and allow others to examine the inner workings? Do you use it as it was intended? Do you care for it as any skilled craftsman would clean and sharpen his tools? What exactly does this free gift mean to you?

I have a wedding band which my wife gave me. It is heavy, and special, and I feel its presence on my hand always. I never take it off. It says I am hers. It is a constant reminder of our relationship. It is more than a symbol, a signet, it is part of who I am, especially when we are not together.

Precious is my salvation in that same way.